Endangered Resources Program Species Information
Yellow & Slough Sandshells (Lampsilis teres)

Overview

Species Overview

Yellow sandshell (Lampsilis teres anodontoides) and slough sandshell (Lampsilis teres teres) are subspecies of Lampsilis teres which is listed as Endangered in Wisconsin. They are found in large rivers in the western part of the state. The yellow sandshell occurs in swift currents in clean swept sandy areas in the main channel. Eight fish species have been recorded as its host, including gars, basses, sturgeon and centrarchid species. The slough sandshell occurs in muddy areas adjacent to the current of large rivers. Three fish species have been recorded as its host, including gar species.

Status and NHI Documented Occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status (State and Federal Status) and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Yellow & Slough Sandshells (Lampsilis teres). See the Working List Key for more information about the abbreviations used. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. For invertebrates, dots depict locations from the "Invertebrate Atlas," a database with occurrences of rare and common aquatic and select terrestrial invertebrate species found in Wisconsin and adjacent areas. While the invertebrate atlas is a quality assured database, not all records have been verified. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Summary Information State Status: END Federal Status in Wisconsin: none State Rank: S1 Global Rank: G5 Tracked by NHI: Y Species of Greatest Conservation Need: Y

Detailed Information

Identification: The smooth, shining yellow shell is usually weakly rayed with green. The beak region is often reddish or brown. It is thick, elongated and somewhat inflated. The anterior end is rounded and the posterior end is pointed. The dorsal and ventral margins are straight and nearly parallel. Lateral teeth are long, roughened and nearly straight. Pseudocardinal teeth somewhat compressed and serrated. Nacre is white and may be tinged with salmon color, iridescent posteriorly. The female is more rounded and inflated than the male, and has an orange stripe on inner surface. Length up to 6 inches (150 mm) long. In contrast to L.t.anodontoides, the young are yellowish with few rays.

Habitat: Inhabits large, swift rivers with a sandy bottom and in water a meter or more in depth.

State Distribution: Occurs in the Mississippi, Namekagon, and lower Wisconsin Rivers.

Phenology: Yellow sandshells are winter breeders. Glochidia of this subspecies has been found on long-nosed gar (Lepisosteus osseus),blue-spotted sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), orange-spotted sunfish (L. humilis), large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), and black crappie (P. sparoides).

Management Guidance: Habitat destruction and river pollution have resulted in mussel declines. Protection of habitat and improvements in water quality along with restriction of dredging, impoundments, sand and gravel mining, and navigational improvements would benefit this species

Information compiled from publication PUB-ER-085-99 (now out-of-print).

Photos

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Photo ©  Illinois Natural History Survey.

Related Links

Links to Additional Yellow & Slough Sandshells Information

• Illinois Natural History Survey [Exit DNR]
• MN Department of Natural Resources [Exit DNR]

Other Links Related to Mussels and Clams

• Illinois Natural History Survey [Exit DNR]
• The Field Museum [Exit DNR]
• Conchologists of America [Exit DNR]
• EPA Biological Indicators of Watershed Health [Exit DNR]
• Milwaukee Public Museum [Exit DNR]